Foamable alcoholic composition

Abstract

A foamable composition is provided that includes at least 40 weight percent alcohol, based upon the total weight of the alcoholic composition; a foaming surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic, cationic, and zwitterionic fluorosurfactants, and combinations thereof; and a polymeric or oligomeric foam stabiliser selected from the group consisting of polyquaterniums, quaternized copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and dimethylamino methacrylate, hydrophobically modified quaternized copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone & dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamide, and mixtures thereof. Methods of forming a stabilised foam and of reducing dripping from a dispenser are also provided.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 438,664, filed on May 22, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 754,536, filed Dec. 28, 2005, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]This invention relates to foamable alcoholic compositions, and more particularly, to foamable alcoholic compositions that include a foaming surfactant selected from fluoro surfactants, siloxane polymer surfactants, and combinations thereof.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Foam cleaning products are popular, in part because they are easier to spread on surfaces. Consumers seem to prefer the luxury of foamed soap products. Less foam is needed to produce the same cleaning power as liquids or gels, due at least partly to the higher surface area of the foam. Properly formulated foam products do not produce the drip and splash that is experienced with traditional gelled or liquid products, due to the higher surface ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]One or more embodiments of this invention further provide a method for reducing dripping of a composition from a foaming pump dispenser adapted to dispense said composition, the method comprising providing a foamable composition comprising at least about 40 weight percent alcohol, based upon the total weight of the alcoholic composition, and a foaming surfactant selected from the group consisting of siloxane polymer surfactants, anionic, cationic, and zwitterionic fluoro surfactants, and combinations thereof, with the proviso that where the foaming surfactant comprises a fluorosurfactant, the foamable alcoholic composition further comprises a polymeric or oligomeric foam stabilizer; providing a foaming pump dispenser having a dispenser head; and placing the foamable composition into the foaming pump dispenser.

Problems solved by technology

Properly formulated foam products do not produce the drip and splash that is experienced with traditional gelled or liquid products, due to the higher surface tension of the foam.

However, foaming products based upon alcoholic compositions are problematic, because alcohol is known to have strong defoaming properties.

Although aerosol-based alcoholic foams are available, these aerosol products are generally more expensive to manufacture than non-aerosol foams.

However, alcoholic compositions do not exhibit effective antimicrobial properties unless the alcohol is present in an amount of 50 weight percent or more.

But the foam thus produced is fleeting, and will immediately begin to deflate or liquefy into a water-thin liquid.

When the alcoholic foam is dispensed from a common foaming pump mechanism, some of the foam is left within the tubes of the dispenser, and, as the foam breaks down, the composition often drips out of the dispenser.

This dripping not only wastes product, it makes the area around the dispenser look unsanitary and may result in damage to the walls and floors, as well as resulting in a slip hazard if the product is dripping on the floor.

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